Note to our elected officials and Chief Lanier: STOP talking about the lower murder rate in DC. Our neighbors are having guns stuck in their guts by thugs. What is your plan? It has been obvious for several years now that the emerging shopping and nightlife corridor on 14th Street is a destination for wanna-be robbers and muggers

Note to ANC 2B-Dupont and ANC 2F-Logan: When is violent street crime going to become a top priority for you, instead of freaking out about liquor licenses and Real World filming crews? Priorities, perhaps, need to be set?

Note to the real estate and development lobby in DC: Would you mind putting the pressure on the DC government? You may have more trouble selling the expensive condos in the area if this trend continues.

Note to the store owners in Borderstan:When are you going to start raising hell and demanding some sort of permanent police presence, perhaps a permanent substation?

The following two crimes occurred yesterday on Monday, July 13, in Borderstan… note that the assault on Corcoran Street occurred at 4 p.m. The robbery last night on S Street was first reported in the crime alert posting below.

Note: Remember that when you are talking on your cell phone, you are probably not paying attention to your surroundings. This is particularly dangerous late at night.Criminals target people who are talking on their cell phones at night on quiet streets. If you don’t believe me, ask an officer with the DC police.

Be careful out there, Borderstanians.

Assault w/ a Dangerous Weapon (Gun): 1400 block of Corcoran Street NW on 7/13/2009 at 4 p.m. Complainant in the 1400 block of Corcoran Street, NW reports while talking on his cell phone in front of the listed location, an H/M suspect approached him from behind and pointed a black handgun at him and he began to scream. The suspect began screaming and fled northbound on Corcoran Street, NW. Lookout is for an H/M, 5’7″, wearing a white shirt, nothing further. Officer Daee, M., badge #2105 reporting. 1600 hours, CCN: 098-459, 3D PSA 307.

Robbery (Fear): 1400 block of S Street NW on 7/13/2009 at 10:27 p.m. Complainant in the 1400 block of S Street, NW reports that while at the listed location, a B/M suspect approached and reached into a bag to imply that he had a weapon and stated, “Get the fu*k down on the ground or I’m going to kill you!” The complainant complied. The suspect reached into the complainants pockets while stating, “Give me what’s in your pocket!” Stolen from the complainant were a black ICE cell phone, a black Blackberry cell phone and $40.00 in U.S. Currency. The suspect fled southbound on Johnson Avenue, NW. Lookout is for a B/M, 5’6″- 5’8″, dark complexion, wearing a white tank top, black pants and a black sweater covering his face. Officer Arhin, G., badge #2077 reporting. 2227 hours, CCN: 098-635, 2D PSA 208.

PSA 208 covers the Dupont Circle neighborhood and part of Kalorama Circle. West Borderstan (west of 15th Street) is in PSA 208. (Image: MPD Web site.)

Following are May 31 crimes reported by Police Service Area (PSA) 208… What’s up with these “swarming” (my term) assaults on people on the street? The first crime detailed below (Pennsylvania Avenue NW) reminds me of the robberies that occurred in the clothing stores on 14th Street at Universal Gear (with video) and Rue 14 (with video). They are disturbing to say the least, especially when someone is attacked by 15 to 18 teenagers.

May 31. Two-Robbery/Force & Violence:

2400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. – A group of 15-18 male juveniles approached the complainant, grabbed him around the neck and demanded his watch. The complainant refused and all of the suspects began punching and kicking the complainant. The complainant fell and one of the suspects took the watch. The suspects were described as black males; approximately 15-18 years old; 5’6″-5’8″; and 110 – 140 pounds.

Following are some selected crimes from Police Service Area (PSA) 307 and PSA 208. The three crimes that stand out are highlighted in red below. Be careful out there and watch your surroundings, especially when you are out at night on quiet side streets.

Know how to protect yourself on the street. You may not ever be faced with the prospect of a mugger, but it’s important to know how to act if you ever encounter such a situation.

The best way to protect yourself from a street robbery, or mugging, is to reduce your exposure to potentially being victimized–stay in groups, walk in well-lit areas, and pay attention to your surroundings. Thieves will look for “easy prey” before they try to attack someone who is prepared.

Robbery and assault are serious crimes. While money is often the motivation, these are considered crimes of violence because they involve the threat or actual use of physical violence. The basic rules of prevention are to be sensible and to be alert.

If possible, don’t walk alone during late-night hours. Walk in groups whenever you can — there is always safety in numbers.

Let a family member or friend know your destination and your estimated time of arrival or return. That way, the police can be notified as quickly as possible if there is a problem.

Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. Avoid alleys, vacant lots, wooded areas, and other short-cuts or secluded areas. These are usually not well-lit or heavily traveled.

Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. Walk close to the curb, avoiding doorways, bushes, and other potential hiding places.

If you have to walk in the street, walk facing traffic. A person walking with traffic can be followed, forced into a car, and abducted more easily than a person walking against traffic.

Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace. Don’t stop to talk to strangers.

Wear clothing and shoes that give you freedom of movement. And don’t burden yourself with too many packages or items.

Always be aware of your surroundings. If you are wearing headphones, don’t turn up the volume so high that you cannot hear outside noises.

Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.

Report any suspicious activity or person immediately to the Metropolitan Police Department at 3-1-1. Or, if it is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Avoid carrying large sums of cash, or displaying expensive jewelry, etc. in public. If you must carry large sums, divide the cash into smaller quantities and carry in multiple places on your person (wallet, purse, side pocket, etc.)

Basic Street Smarts

Wherever you are–on the street, in an office building or shopping mall, driving, waiting for a bus or subway–stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings.

Send the message that you’re calm, confident, and know where you’re going.

Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave.

Know the neighborhoods where you live and work.

Check out the locations of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals, and restaurants, or stores that are open late.

If Someone Tries to Rob You

Don’t resist. Give up your property–don’t give up your life.

Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims.

Self defense measures are most effective when applied as preventive steps–avoiding the crime in the first place. These measures include running away, hiding, screaming, and raising an alarm–remember, more people will respond to someone yelling “Fire” than they will to “Help!”

Safety In Your Vehicle

The crime of “carjacking” — which is stealing a car by force — captures headlines across the country. Statistically speaking, however, your chances of being a victim of carjacking are very slim, and taking preventive measures can reduce that risk even more.

If the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, GIVE UP YOUR CAR! Don’t argue. Your life is definitely worth more than a car!

Get away from the area as quickly as possible.

Try to remember what the carjacker looked like — sex, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes.

REPORT THE CRIME IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE!

Automated Teller Machine Safety Tips

Try to use machines you are familiar with, and try to use terminals located in banks rather than independent terminals.

Be aware of your surroundings. Look around before conducting a transaction. If you see anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your transaction and go to another ATM.

If you must use an ATM after hours, make sure it’s well-lit.

Never walk away from an ATM with cash still in hand. If you are going to count your money, do so at the ATM.

When making an ATM transaction from your car, be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes and ears open, and keep your car doors locked!

Preventing Assaults

Assaults are basically fights — carried out with or without a weapon — at home or in a public space, between strangers, (frequently) among friends, acquaintances or loved ones.

The most serious assaults are known as “aggravated assaults,” “assaults with a deadly weapon,” or “assaults with intent to kill.”

Less serious offenses are called “simple assaults.” In many cases, simple assaults turn into more serious assaults — or even homicides — if the initial argument or fight is not scaled back or resolved quickly.

While some assaults are unavoidable, here are some tips on making sure simple arguments do not turn violent or deadly:

If you are involved in a heated argument that appears to be turning violent, walk away. Staying to fight — “to prove something” — only demonstrates poor judgment in almost every instance.

Never carry a firearm, knife or other illegal weapon. A weapon will definitely escalate the situation, and it could ultimately be used to harm innocent people or yourself.

Avoid excessive drinking, or if you have been drinking, recognize its impact on your judgment. Alcohol is a contributing factor in many assaults.

If you see an assault in progress–dial 9-1-1 immediately to alert the police. DO NOT jump into the fray–unless it is a last resort to prevent more serious injury.

Get Involved!

No one individual or agency working alone can prevent crime. It takes police and citizens working in partnership. The District of Columbia’s community policing strategy provides many ways for police and communities to work together to prevent crime and build safer neighborhoods. These include regular PSA (Police Service Area) meetings in your community, problem-solving groups, citizen patrols and more. To learn more about community policing activities in your neighborhood, call your local police district:

For the Borderstan area of Dupont-Logan, the number of violent crimes over the past three years has been almost exactly the same: 38 in 2006, 39 in 2007 and 39 in 2008. However, the number of property crimes was up slightly in 2008 by 6% after dropping substantially by 26% in 2007. Total crime in Borderstan rose 5% in 2008 (due the increase in property crimes) after falling 23% in 2007.

For Police Service Area (PSA) 208, violent crime decreased 4% in 2008. However, property crime jumped 9%, which means that total crime increased 7% in 2008 in PSA 208. The big increase was thefts from autos, which shot up 28% in 2008.

For Police Service Area (PSA) 307, violent crime decreased 17% in 2008. However, total crime decreased only 1%, due to a 2% increase in property crimes; the rise in property crimes was in thefts from autos and stolen autos.

Generally, PSA 307 encompasses the Logan Circle neighborhood and parts of Shaw. East Borderstan is part of PSA 307 (from 14th to 15th and P to S Streets NW). West Borderstan (15th to 16th Streets) is part of PSA 208.